Referee Watch - Kidderminster

REFEREE Simon Bennett will take charge of Town's clash with Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday at Blundell Park.

The Staffordshire official is part of the Select Group of referees, which means he is able to take charge at Premier League and Football League level.

His last game as an official was as assistant referee when Liverpool beat Manchester City last weekend, whilst he also ran the line in the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Aston Villa last season.

So far this season, he has handed out 25 yellow cards and two reds in 9 games not including an FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie he officiated, whilst that was 56 yellows and nine reds in 17 games last campaign.

Bennett will be assisted by Neil Pratt and Hristo Karaivanov, whilst Oliver Bickle will act as Fourth Official.

LAST TIME OUT

Bennett has already taken charge of a Town game twice this season, most recently in the 4-1 victory at Harrogate Town in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round. The Mariners went behind that day through Brendon Daniels but Town soon replied, and goals from Padraig Amond, Omar Bogle, as well as two from Nathan Arnold, eventually resulted in a comfortable victory.

The referee also took charge of the 1-1 draw against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank in August, sending off Josh Gowling and awarding Lincoln a penalty in the first half before Town fought back to earn a point.